Russia blacklists Yale for allegedly training foreign opposition leaders

The Russian government on Tuesday added Yale University to its "undesirable organizations" list, accusing the Ivy League school of sponsoring anti-Russian activities and training foreign opposition leaders.

The country singled out Yale's Jackson School of Global Affairs, which it accused of training foreign opposition leaders to send to Russian President Vladimir Putin's former rival Alexei Nalvany's Anti-Corruption Foundation. Navalny died in a Russian prison last year. 

The actions prohibit people affiliated with the university from operating in the country. Those who violate the order can face up to six years in a Russian prison, per Politico.

“The university’s activities are directed at the violation of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, the international blockade of the country and the undermining of its economic foundations, as well as destabilizing the socio-economic and political situation in the country,” the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement.

The new order comes after the country banned certain Americans, including Yale professors and members of the Biden family, from visiting the country in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

“I think it is a proud patriotic moment where we’re waving the flag to show that the national interests and the interests of institutions like this are inextricably intertwined,” Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld told Politico on Tuesday.

Russia has also blacklisted prominent news journalists, U.S. lawmakers and officials, including Vice President JD Vance, who was blacklisted while he was still a senator. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.